Gardenia is from North East Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She attended East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, North Carolina. She has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She has a master's degree in taxation from Southeastern University in Washington, District of Columbia.

North Carolina State Senate District 32 - Ballotpedia

Gardenia Henley is from North East Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Shaw University and a master's degree in taxation from Southeastern University in Washington, District of Columbia.

Gardenia is a retired U.S. Diplomat Inspector General Officer. She previously served in the U.S. Air Force. She also used to work as an adjunct professor at Strayer University, teaching taxation.

Gardenia Henley previously ran for North Carolina State House District 75 in the Democratic primary in 2020 and for North Carolina State Senate District 32 in the Democratic primary in 2024 but did not win.

Gardenia Henley Pledges To Support Congressional Term Limits ...

Gardenia previously ran for North Carolina State House District 75 in the Democratic primary in 2020 and for North Carolina State Senate District 32 in the Democratic primary in 2024 but did not win.

Supports effective management of tax dollars to avoid raising property taxes during budget shortfalls, emphasizing transparency to taxpayers.

Supports effective management of tax dollars to avoid raising property taxes during budget shortfalls.

- Supports effective management of tax dollars to avoid raising property taxes during budget shortfalls.

Economy

Supports proper allocation of resources for community development, drug and crime prevention, chronic homelessness, and law enforcement.

Supports better distribution of resources for community development, drug and crime prevention, chronic homelessness, and law enforcement.

- Supports better distribution of resources for community development, drug and crime prevention, chronic homelessness, and law enforcement.

Public Safety

As of January 2, 2026, Gardenia Henley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Supports additional funding for teachers and support staff, including higher salaries and bonuses, to address staffing shortages and challenges exacerbated by the pandemic.

Supports additional funding for teachers and support staff, including higher salaries and bonuses, to address staffing shortages.

Supports providing adequate resources for the safety and mental well-being of staff and students.

- Supports additional funding for teachers and support staff, including higher salaries and bonuses, to address staffing shortages.
- Supports providing adequate resources for the safety and mental well-being of staff and students.

Education

Energy & the Environment

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Voting & Elections

Facebook

Twitter

Gardenia Henley

Believes ethical behavior and transparency are critical in government, emphasizing the need for clarity on taxpayer spending.

- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the North Carolina Senate. The North Carolina Senate is the upper house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- The State Senator is elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.